The Sun was rising and it was time for us to move.

After a week of resting, we packed our things up as we left to see and possibly kill Razor if they did indeed killed Monarch’s daughter, Dawn. With that conversation I heard outside though, the Blades don’t seem likely to be vicious killers as Monarch pointed out. Luckily, our jeep was repaired fully as well has having some upgrades to it which Epsilon absolutely fanboyed over. Both me and Harmony were chuckling a bit seeing this right now, “Told you he’s like that….” It was very funny to see him go out like a little girl.

The upgrades in general though… Our jeep had an armor plating covering most of the jeep making it bulletproof, not laser proof although that would make things easier for the both of us. Surprisingly, they added a mounted machine gun to the back of the jeep. I don’t think this was absolutely necessary, heck if I know though; it could help in the long run… My PipBuck pointed north as we got in the jeep.

WE hopped in the jeep as Epsilon revved up the engines as we departed for our destination. What? I don’t think you want to know the details on our way there, it would bore you people. Seriously, you all want to know what we were doing even if the details bore you to death? You really sure about this? Are you reallysure? Are you absolutely positively really sure about this? I’ll take that silence as a yes then. Then let us continue our discussion then.

The ride to where the arrow was pointing was a bit boring. We did run into a few hellhounds along the way. Alone, we can handle them, but as a humongous pack, I’d rather avoid them at all cost. I turned on the radio station seeing if there was any news on Stable Dweller or Security. No news on Stable Dweller as of the moment but there was some news from Security, “Can’t beat Sapphire Shores for sass and spunk. That was ‘Ain’t gonna hang my head’. Well, if you were listening earlier you probably heard Security Mare’s little declaration of war against Paradise Mall. It looks like Paradise has responded in kind by putting a big bounty on Security.

“Now I know times are tough. I know a number like that is bound to turn anypony’s head. But given where the money’s coming from I just gotta ask: what’s to stop ‘em from turning around the second you step out the door, taking the money back, and tossing your tail into Brimstone's Fall? Even if they do let you walk away, enjoy spending every day of your life keeping an eye out for bandits and slavers. Oh.” There was a shaking of paper and a conspicuous clearing of his throat, “And I got a little memo from the Tenpony Tower management: those caps count as raiding activity should you collect, so don’t plan to come here with ‘em.

“We’re never gonna do better if we kill everypony trying to do the right thing. Ponies selling ponies to ponies who work ponies to death is just wrong, no matter how you buck it. So with that in mind,” the music began again, “here is Sweetie Belle with ‘Priceless’.”

I was beginning to warm up to the DJ. Spreading the news about both Stable Dweller and Security’s actions was one way to keep the fire going. Adding me to the fire and well, we probably have one hell of an inferno. A declaration of war to Paradise Mall huh? The drive there again was boring as all hell. I really needed something to do besides blowing heads up. Oh Goddesses, did I seriously thought about blowing heads up? I really needed something now to get my head out of the gutter.

I looked through my saddlebag hoping to find something that will at least relieve me of my boredom. I really hate getting bored at times especially with those board meetings. Shuffling through my inventory, I discovered that… I had the ‘Wingboner Magazine’ in my inventory!? Since when did this get in my inventory!? I swear I thought I put this back where I found it not in my bags! I pulled it and wanted to throw it out to the Wasteland or even better it for me at least, burn it to ashes.

However, for some very oddly, disgusting reason that I cannot comprehend, I was very curious about the contents inside the magazine. Ugh, my perception was going through a major mess-up if I’m thinking of looking inside the magazine… In the end, curiosity got the better of me as I looked through the contents of the magazine, much to my regret.

Looking through the magazine, my reaction was… odd to say the least. I wasn’t bothered by the contents inside the magazine at all though this reaction of mine was to be expected. I wonder how much was in here though. I scoured through the magazine looking through all of the contents in this. Now mind you, I’ve not bothered by all of this or even care. To those fanatics, all of this in here is just for the enjoyment and questionable liking. Me? I treat this mostly as just a sort of ritual shall I say, I don’t do it for the sake of fun. Oh sure I had some fun, but not the intimate kind of fun, mostly because I never understood how and why going through intercourse was considered fun… when one knows that you reproduce younglings like so… my thoughts on this is rather complicated anyway.

One of the pages seemed seldom awkward until the mare in question was one I was very much familiar with and it severely caught me off guard. The mare in question has a pink coat with a puffy mane and tail with three balloons as a cutie mark. Normally, I’d understand that she would want to be a part of anything she deems fun but her going through this… it was quite a shocker. And she’s clearly enjoying it as well, huh. The stallion in question was also very much happy to have her sucking on his… Oh goodness, she’s sucking on it excitedly, with so much glee in her eyes.

As much as I was kind of caught off by this, I should’ve seen this coming. I mean they are mares living their own life; of course they would go through this. I closed the magazine letting out one sigh. I heard Epsilon snicker as I looked at him eyeing me though the mirror hanging on the front window, “Well now… since when have you been interested into that stuff?”

I titled my head in confusion at that question. I’m not so sure on how to answer this question but I’m leaving him with no answer, “Since when? I’ve never been interested in this kind of thing since forever. I don’t get how…” I raised the book up and shook it a bit with no expression shown on my face, “The contents in this book would be considered fun. Arousal perhaps I can see but fun? I don’t see the point of it.”

The jeep screeched to a sudden stop as I finished my sentence. Thank goodness me and Harmony were holding onto something because otherwise, we’d be sent flying away. I received a quizzical look from both of the siblings as I was looking at the both of them, “What seems to be the matter?”

Both of them were looking at each other acknowledging what I said before. They looked at me again in disbelief over what I said. Harmony was the first to speak about my thoughts though it kind of surprised me that she’d be the one to first respond, “How can you not be interested in all of that? I mean sure I’m not, but even I have a bit of a liking to read something from that.”

I was groaning hearing that right now. Do I really need to bother with this subject? I looked back at the two not pleased with them asking about this, “Look, I don’t give a care about this okay? If people like this, that’s on them. I’m not going to argue about this and I don’t want to delve as to why I don’t even care about all of what’s in here, can we just not talk about this?”

“Nope…” came the answer from Epsilon. Oh my goodness, why am I having to deal with this right now? I glared at him still not wanting to continue with this pointless subject matter, “Look Zodiac, the only ponies that wouldn’t give a crap about what’s within the magazine would be those that never had a love life.”

“Yeah, and I’m one of them…” Both looked at me clearly surprised about this. I put two hooves on my face. I truly did not want to continue this right now. I just want to get to the Blades and get this topic out of the way, “Look does it matter whether I have a love life or not? Can we just get to the location right now? I’d rather not delve into this topic now…” They indeed decided to not push this topic as we went ahead.

The Sun was reaching the horizons as we were nearing our destination to where the Blades were supposedly were. Of course things were not so easy when a pack of hellhounds came at us again. Seriously, these dogs are starting to annoy me now than ever. What, were they respawning somewhere or something? Apparently both Harmony and Epsilon agreed with my thoughts as they sighed.

I looked away as he fired a rocket at the small pack, ending them fairly quickly. I was still not use to killing living beings like them. Sure I did do it once, but it was in self-defense and I was still steadfast on my no killing moral. That kind of moral is going to get me killed in the Wasteland but I’d rather have a hold of that instead of mindlessly killing.

After that little upstart, it was relatively calm for the most part. A sprite-bot came buzzing through in front of us playing the annoying music. Did I forget to tell both of them about Watcher? Well, that almost got answered as the sprite-bot’s music stopped abruptly, “Yo.”

I was lunged forward to the front of the jeep as Epsilon suddenly stopped the jeep. My face was sticking on the window. I pulled my face off the jeep as I as clutching my face in pain. Both Harmony and Epsilon were looking around wondering where that came from. Harmony asked first while her brother was searching, “Zodiac, did you hear that or was it just me?”

“Ugh, my face… Look at the sprite-bot while I try to check for any broken bones…” We seriously need some seatbelts on this jeep so I don’t get sent flying to the front of the jeep again. Why didn’t Harmony get flown anway? Ugh, my poor face… I looked at the general direction of where the sprite-bot is and I heard some sounds coming from the machine which I can tell was Watcher snickering, “Sanguis gehenna! Not funny Watcher!”

“Oh I am so sorry! I find that smack to be damn hilarious!” Watcher was laughing like crazy while the two siblings could only stare in confusion as to what was going on. I managed to hurl a rock at the thing out of rage causing the thing to fizz like crazy. That got Watcher’s attention as he slowly stops laughing and fixed the bot itself, “Sorry… Sorry, I can’t help it. I hadn’t had a good laugh like that in a long while.”

I was still rubbing as they were just looking at the both of us wondering how to discern all of this, “I’m just going to leave you to be okay? Call me when you two are done…” He got out of the jeep for a second before running away about five meters away from us.

I’m with Epsilon, I’m going to leave you two be…” She got off the jeep and joined with her brother in the ensuing confusion. The both of us just watched the scene play silent for a few seconds. We looked at each other for a while before laughing out loud.

I was banging on the floor of the jeep as the sprite-bot was moving wildly around like a crazed animal. We both slowly died down our laughing before returning to the conversation, “Okay, that sure went well…”

“It sure did Zodiac.” He cleared his throat (At least from the way it sounds) as the two were beginning to return back, “I see that you made a new friends, that’s a good start.”

I scratched my head in a slight bit of embarrassment, “Gratia vos Watcher.”

The sprite-bot jittered a bit much to my confusion, “Okay two things right now. First off, what are you and your new friends planning to do right now? Two, what language are you speaking?”

Damn it I let that slip didn’t I? Oh well, it’s not that bad to explain it to him I guess, I mean it’s not that bad right? “Sorry guess, I’m slipping to the old language again.”

“Old language?” All three had synchronized that question wondering what I meant.

I let out a breath as I explained the language to the best of my abilities, “Well, the old language I’m referring to is the original language of the alicorns. I kind of learnt some of it when I was a bookworm.” All three gave out an exasperated ‘oh’ sound which was weird in retrospect, for me at least. I told them every tiny bit about the language.

After a few finishing sentences, Watcher spoke up, “Wow, I did not know you were interested in some alicorn history! Sad that not everyone is here to listen…”

“Hey no worries Watcher, we’re here for you… oh I almost forgot! We’re going north from here to see someone.”

The sprite-bot shuddered for a second before as Watcher’s voice returned back, “Sorry about that, this thing is about to die on batteries soon, so you’re meeting someone?”

“Yes we are…” I scratched my chin wondering if this was a good time to ask this question. Well better than nothing since he’s here, “Say Watcher, why do you need me to have friends so badly?” The sprite-bot stopped swaying for a second there. Before I got the answer, the sprite-bot shuddered violently as the music came back and it moved on like it never noticed us, “Qualis gehenna? What just happened?” I looked at the two of them wanting to confirm what he just saw. All they did was shrug, much to their confusion as well.

With that awkward meeting with Watcher over, Epsilon started the jeep and we drove off north. At least the distance to our destination is shortening now thanks to our patience (Although to be fair, Epsilon wanted to blow something up because he was getting bored, crazy much?).

Night was beginning to fall as darkness surrounded the Wasteland. We were at the halfway point and decided to stop and rest for the night. I volunteered to take over the night shift. Epsilon was about to object but when he delivered a loud yawn; he changed his mind and decided to sleep. Harmony laughed a bit loudly while I could only sit there. Harmony said her good night as she joined Epsilon in sharing the bed.

I looked at the bonfire we managed to make as its sparks soared to the sky only for them to disappear. Woods were such a rarity in the Wasteland; I was a bit surprised to even find some wood at all to make the fire. My mind was still pondering about The Boneyard. A valley filled with corpses stretching almost to the horizon, like what Epsilon said himself, what the ever living fuck happened there? My mind would not go at ease now that we’re in it. I putted it on the top of my shelf as one of my high priority questions.

I looked upward at the blinking stars out there enjoying the wonderful sight. Some of the clouds did not block the endless space showcasing the beauty of the night. Tonight would have been a great night if I was not cautious in The Boneyard. It was going to linger in my mind for quite some time.

I shifted my attention to the dying fire as I put more wood in it. The night was getting a bit boring even with the radio on. I had wondered if anything was going to happen now… Really wished I hadn’t jinxed that moment… As I was getting more rotting wood, my head suddenly undergo a major headache as I was clutching it, “Wh-what in the world!? When did my head started to throb!?”

{{AT LAST, THE GODDESS CAN SPEAK WITH YOU! SPEAK! WHO ARE YOU?}}

I was still clutching my head from this sudden telepathic intrusion, What in Celestia’s name? Who is this speaking!? Show yourself!

{{DO NOT DISTRACT YOURSELF WITH YOUR THOUGHTS! ANSWER THE QUESTION THAT THE GODDESS SPEAKS!}}

Aw great it can read my thoughts… this is not going to be easy for me. So thinking about my ideas is out of the question with this so-called Goddess… I had to try to not think about something vital or else this might complicate things. This still hurt though, All right, so you want to know me? Tell me why do you want to know about me anyway?

{{I DISCOVERED YOU AS TIME PASSED. I DID NOT BOTHER AT FIRST AS I THOUGHT YOU WERE A PART OF UNITY. IT IS NOT UNTIL NOW THAT I TOOK A LOOK AT YOU AND REALIZED THAT YOU ARE NOT PART OF UNITY WHAT WITH YOUR COAT COLOR, NO HORN, AND UNIQUE WINGS. NOW DO NOT TEST MY PATIENCE MYSTERIOUS ALICORN. WHO ARE YOU AND WHERE DID YOU COME FROM?

Unity? What is the Unity? This is going to be very difficult… Add question number three onto the top of my bookshelf now. All right mysterious Goddess, you want to know about me? How about you start by telling me who you are? I’m not going to comply until you at least tell me who you are. I don’t like to share my secrets with someone I do not even know…

I’m not so sure right now but I think the so-called Goddess was actually pondering if her making a ‘hmm’ sound meant anything, {{ YOU ARE RATHER CALM DESPITE MY INTRUSION INTO YOUR THOUGHTS…TELL ME STRANGE ALICORN, WHAT MAKES YOU THINK I WILL SHARE MY SECRETS TO YOU?}}

This Goddess is starting to somewhat surprise me a bit. It does seem kind of awkward to have a conversation with a being that I don’t even know. I did not want to waste this opportunity though and just kept talking, Why not? You want to know me and I want to know more about you. Why not share about our life to know each other a bit more? It helps to strengthen a bond of trust if only a little bit…

I really hoped that worked because I’m beginning to worry. I heard her making sounds of her thinking. It made me calm down for a bit seeing that I managed to get to her like this, {{YOU ARE A VERY INTERESTING PONY… HMM, PERHAPS I WILL WATCH OVER YOU BECAUSE YOU HAVE THE GODDESS’S CURIOSITY PIQUED}}

Really? I don’t think I need someone who I don’t even know looming over my head because I got their interest piqued. That sounds rather unnerving for me at least if I think about it And I was not joking when I say that it is a bit unnerving to have something looming over your head and watching you. Well, ignoring that, at least I managed to handle this stressful situation peacefully.

{{DO NOT WORRY; YOU WILL NOT BE CONCERNED ABOUT ME… FOR NOW, I STILL WISH TO KNOW MORE ABOUT YOU BUT YOU WISH TO KNOW ABOUT ME. I SHALL BE WAITING FOR YOU AND WE SHALL BE SEEING YOU SOMEDAY AND BE CONTINUING THIS DISCUSSION.}} She disconnected her telepathy from my mind as I took one heavy breath from that. That was one experience I did not want to go through today or ever again. I never wanted to think it with this Goddess connected to my mind, but my body tensed up throughout that chat.

So many questions now emerged in my thoughts, like how did this Goddess know that I was an alicorn even if she did not see me having only wings? I looked back at the fire, its flames getting weaker from the lack of oxygen for it to feast on. I threw on some more wood as I looked to the stars again. Unity… I wonder what this Unity that this so-called Goddess calls it. So many questions, too little answers…

I heard the sound of rustling as I turned around checking out who was it from. I look at Epsilon who was waking up during the night hours. He got out of the jeep giving out a big yawn as he rubbed his eyes looking at me, “Hey Zodiac…” He sat next to the fire stretching his hooves out relieving in the calm fire, “Say, I managed to get some sleep. I’ll take over the fire if you want me too.”

I stood up with a smile. Clearly, I needed the sleep as I gave out quite a yawn. I also wanted to drift off from the conversation with the so-called Goddess still lingering in my thought, “Thanks Epsilon, I do need the sleep…”

I walked over to the jeep ready to sleep, “No problem, get yourself some good sleep.” Yeah, having good sleep was going to be somewhat of a problem with what happened. A beep came from my PipBuck as I entered inside the jeep. I was lucky that Epsilon or Harmony did not hear that as I looked to see that the objective updated

(Optional)Visit Splendid Valley and meet up with the Goddess

Well, I wonder if I’ll get the chance to even visit that place? I’d rather focus on the task at hoof and besides this did say optional so it’s not that important yet. I slip under the cover of blankets next to Harmony who was sleeping peacefully. I smiled as I let myself drift off to sleep.

The rays of the Sun bathed the whole Wasteland enveloping us. I opened one eye to see Harmony awake and sleeping on her brother’s lap as he was tending to the fire. Guess she decided to take over the shift but was getting tired there. I got out of the blanket and stretched my body a bit letting out a yawn. Epsilon turned to my direction with a smile. I returned it as Harmony was delivering quite a yawn herself, “Did…Did I fall asleep again?”

I saw Epsilon covering his mouth as he snickered a bit, “Yeah, you kind of did sis, had to take over since you fell asleep.” I flew over there to their location seeing to the fire. I put my hoof on my chest as I heard my stomach growling a bit. I hadn’t eaten did I? My ears perked to the two laughing from my empty stomach. I scratched my head in a bit of embarrassment.

Well we couldn’t go on an empty stomach now can we? I went to the jeep pulling some of the provisions we gathered at Maredytum. Good thing those hydroponic farms were working like a charm. I pulled three apples tossing two apples to them. They caught it and chewed into it. Both Epsilon and Harmony were making sounds that would probably suggest that they never ate an apple this great before. Epsilon acknowledged that fact well, “Sweet Celestia, these are the best apples I’ve ever eaten!”

I let one small laugh escape, “Thanks, those apples were once grown by Applejack herself. Too bad there are not a lot of those apples nowadays…” I chewed into the apple I was holding letting the succulent flavors overwhelm my taste buds. The savory texture, the overwhelming taste, goodness do I miss these apples.

Harmony looked at me with a curious look in her eyes, “Those you gave me while we were together…” She let the silence dominate for a few moments before finishing her question, “Were those Applejack’s apples?” I nodded to her answer while still chewing mine. She looked at the apple pondering about something but what? I saw a sort of glint within her eyes; she must have caught on to how I saved Applejack’s apples. The next question though, “Were you friends with the Ministry Mares?”

I stopped chewing on my apple hearing that question from out of nowhere. Epsilon partly did the same thing as the two of us were eyeing her oddly. I was rather nervous about this suddenly though Epsilon had different ideas as to why, “What makes you say that sis? I’m not so certain I agree with you there.”

“I know but still…” Harmony’s gaze was focused on me trying to flush me out of any sudden movements. I was best to keep myself calm under this kind of thing preventing anything that might give me away. I have to admit, Harmony did initially caught me off guard. What was like a few seconds of silence felt like an eternity, until she finally responded, “You know more about the Ministry Mares then anypony I know. The Pinkie Promise, Applejack’s apples, and then Fluttershy from Liberty and Lycan… Please be honest, are you truly friends with them?”

They told her about how Lycan was acting like Fluttershy for a moment there? I let out a sigh of defeat there. Of course they did, she’s a friend to them. As much as Epsilon wanted to deny the possibility of me actually being friends with them, he too can’t be helped but be curious now. What choice is there right now? They’re suspicious of me now and I don’t want to ruin the bond we made already even if the foundation is small.

Another sigh escaped from me as I averted my attention from the apple I was eating to them, “You’re right about one thing Harmony, I do know a bit about the Ministry Mares more so than expected…” I let the silence drag on for some time before answering, “That’s because I do know them well… only from true statements from others and what-not…” I chewed into my apple as the two looked at one another, their expression matching to their confusion and really, why wouldn’t they be baffled about this? I’d be too if I were to be in their position.

Of course, that bought up more questions than answers from the two which was to be expected, “But how do you know about the Ministry Mares? You said that you were from another country yet how and why do you consider them your friends when you haven’t even met them?” Her brother shared her understanding of my knowledge of them.

I finished eating my apple and put the seeds in a plastic bag for the return trip as I shifted my attention at the two siblings again. As much as I wanted to be truthful, I did not want to explain my true heritage. With time I will deliver the full truth but the time was not now, “Well, I tend to treat everyone including those deceased as though we were once friends. The answer is a bit complicated beyond that…”

They were looking at me like I was crazy for saying something like that. I had to resist rubbing my face a bit. This was going to be difficult to convince them otherwise, “Look, I said that my answer would be complicated…” I was clearly not helping myself if I said that as I looked away a bit. I really need to try my best to hide the fact that I knew the ponies before, “But… I can’t say the truth right now...”

“So when Zodiac? ‘Cause I still don’t understand why you’re being shy of telling us some details…” While I showed no change in expression, my heart agreed with him in all aspects.

I looked at the dying fire as the flames began to become sparks ascending into the sky. The small life these flames emit gave me a sense of confidence despite my current situation. A small smile formed on my face as I turned my attention to my two friends, “In time Epsilon, I--” I performed the gesture of the Pinkie Promise, “Pinkie Promise that I’ll tell you about it, just not now okay?”

He looked at his sister who nodded in agreement to my response, “He can’t break such a promise like that brother. I know it as a truth.” Epsilon shifted his attention to me whom I nodded to Harmony’s statement.

He looked to the both of us for some time before letting out a sigh, “Alright if Harmony agrees, then I’ll agree as well.” I do wonder when was the perfect time to tell them or any more allies we gather about my origins? Whatever or whenever the time comes, I’ll be ready to bring out the truth.

About a few minutes have passed and our stomachs were satisfied for now. We went back on our armored jeep as we set off for the northern part of the Boneyard. Thoughts about the Blades and the Regulators were swarming in my mind. Just what was going on between those two? The idea of them hating each other this long, it was almost as cruel as when I learned about the pegasi.

Speaking of the pegasi, the idea was still shocking to me even as time passed. I truly do hope that there are at least a few pegasi out there that aren’t a part of the Enclave or if they are, are rebelling because they see the wrongness of what they’re doing to the people below them like Ace. I wonder how Ace is faring right now? I looked at Harmony and poked her. I managed to get her attention as she turned around, “Yes Zodiac? You need something?”

I checked on my PipBuck wondering how close we were to our destination. We were still a far distance from the base; it seems this was the appropriate time to ask before we reached the location. I shifted my attention from my PipBuck to Harmony, “Say Harmony, how are things going on with Ace right now? I’m rather curious since I never saw him anywhere during the Baltimare Rebellion…”

Harmony’s reaction was expected before becoming baffling. Her reaction was of surprise upon my question then of her looking away a bit with a hint of red on her face, “Um… he…he…oh dear…” Stuttering? Now this I can make a guess as to why.

I heard Epsilon snicker a bit as he pretty much answered about the stuttering Harmony, “Harmony’s stuttering? I know that sign well enough to know that she just went through something embarrassing or something amazing, sometimes both.” I saw Harmony’s face gaining new shades of red as she put her hooves over her face.

Epsilon let out a loud laugh that I swear would be able to echo all the way to Tartarus. I was never going to be able to have my question answered if this was to be the expected outcome. I was checking on my PipBuck, we were nearing the base of the Blades. I alerted the both of them about it telling them to be cautious just in case of civilians. That managed to get them out of their state albeit slowly.

Looking over the town ahead, it looked rather dilapidated but was surprisingly flourishing and teeming with ponies. I looked at our jeep seeing the mounted machine gun of ours. Oh shoot, how are we supposed to hide that?! I don’t want the ponies here being suspicious or terrified because of that! I went up on it as I tried to find a way to hide.

To my endless shame, I found out now that you can dismount it. I let one facehoof come as I went to dismounting the weapon. I looked ahead as I was about finishing dismounting the gun and the three of us were met with suspicion. Welp, there goes the suspicious part.

We were driving through a market of sorts that stopped all activity as they all eyed us. Okay, this was getting creepy right now. How are we supposed to find Razor if everypony here was looking at us with caution? I know that my PipBuck tracked to her location but everypony here watching us was not going to make this easy.

Passing through the market never felt so relieving for me. Apparently the two siblings agreed with me about it as well, “Goodness, that was rather unnerving… I never thought to have a bunch of ponies eyeing us like that.”

“I’d have to wholeheartedly agree with you Harmony. I’m having second thoughts on killing this Razor now if everypony was eyeing us like that. Zodiac, what do you have in mind?” I looked at Epsilon who was looking to me for an answer.

I gazed at my PipBuck seeing that we were nearing where Razor supposedly is. Well, all of us are having second thoughts of not killing her so that’s a start. I looked ahead to see a tower standing proudly and teeming with what I can presume to be members of the Blades. Well, all else aside, why not try to be diplomatic about this? I lowered my PipBuck as I gave my thoughts, “How about we try to talk with Razor and see from her perspective. We can try to be diplomatic about this.”

Harmony looked at me, worry etched onto her face as she was looking at the tall building, “And if that doesn’t work? What then?”

Damn it, she got right to it… I was actually hoping to not get anything beyond killing her and settle this diplomatically. If that doesn’t work, I’d hate to resort to killing right there and now. I just shook my head letting all these thoughts go away for now, “It will work, I know it Harmony.” Please let this work for us.

Epsilon stopped at the entrance of the entrance when two Blade guards came up. Their equipment was rather poor and their armor looked like it wouldn’t last in a prolonged fight, I’m starting to get the feeling that the Blades are ill-equipped. Yet for their lack of good equipment, they exuded in confidence and bravado, “Halt! Who comes forth to the base of the Blades? Only members are allowed inside.”

I moved out of the way as Harmony stepped out of the vehicle. She stepped forward as she did the explaining for us, “We are here to meet with the leader of the Blades. We would like to speak with her please? It is of utmost urgency…”

Both of the guards looked at each other first before returning their attention to Harmony, “Normally we would allow entry if the topic is urgent, but we’ve never seen you three before. All Blade members have been known to know everypony within the city old and new and well, you are new.” They were clearly pondering about how to handle this situation.

One of the guards came to his fellow guards as she neared her and whispered something. How I was able to discern her gender? She had the mare’s shape and her walking style was of mares. That and she’s a unicorn. The male guard in question looked at her, his eyes looking like they were conflicted, “Are you sure about that? We’ve never done it before to new ponies and I don’t want to…” The mare nodded as she went inside. The three of us were looking at each other confused as to what was going on. The stallion let out a sigh as he looked at us and gestured to follow, “Follow me.”

We eyed each other one more time before deciding to follow the male guard. We followed him to the interior of the Blades base. Despite the exterior of the building looking dilapidated like the rest of the town, the interior was surprisingly well-kept. It was clean inside, the structure was reinforced safely, water was fresh (although it is still a bit irradiated if only a small trace of it), and the guards were conversing with one another well. This was not what Monarch had said to me before. Instead of vicious and murderous thieves, the Blades were ponies who respected each other and ponies both old and new. Seeing the difference raised many alarms about the Regulators almost immediately.

While I was in the middle of my thought process, I must have missed a conversation as I heard Harmony and the male guard chatting, “...not so sure about all of this.” I looked at Epsilon who was eyeing the guard carefully. What kind of conversation did I miss?

I noticed that we had stopped and reach our destination. The three of us were in front of a single wooden door, “I know but there’s no time to argue about this.” The stallion walked to the door and opened it looking at us, “Only one of you is allowed inside, the other two have to wait until the pony inside is done. So…who’s going in first?”

I saw the two back away from the door leaving me at the front. I turned around clearly not pleased with them doing that since I knew that trick, “Oh hardity-har-har you two… Fine, guess I’ll go first then.” I heard the two of the holding back their laughter as I entered inside the room. The door closed behind me and I was left in darkness.

Okay, this is kind of suspicious right now. A single light lit in the center of the room penetrating the black room. Saying it again, very suspicious about all of this. Left with little choice, I walked to the light. I was under the light looking around the room wondering what was going on or what was going to happen. I heard hoofsteps echoing in front of me each step louder than the last. I looked ahead to see the same mare that whispered to the stallion, “You’re…that mare who whispered…to the stallion…”

The unicorn nodded as she looked at me, her eyes filled with both a sense of determination and regret for what she was about to do. Even with her eyes showing that, her voice was a bit cracked as well, “I’m sorry, please forgive me for what I’m about to do sir…”

“Forgive you? Forgive you for…?” My question got interrupted as her magic touched enveloped me. I was not being floated in the air like the usual telekinesis. I looked at her getting nervous about what she was trying to do, “What…are you trying…to…?” My words were getting quieter as I felt my eyes closing. My body was beginning to feel numb as I wobbled around. Was I… getting… drowsy?

I was in the middle of an inky black void as I stumbled to pick myself up. What just happened with the unicorn there? Wait… I can hear my own thoughts in my dream, that’s not normally possible right now. I looked around seeing what was going. Everywhere I looked was all just an inky black void stretching beyond the horizon. Just what is going on?

“Zodiac…” I heard my named being called in the unending void. I looked around wondering where it coming from, “Zodiac.” It came a second time and I was searching frantically now, “Zodiac.” The third time it came I was getting nervous. Six forms manifested themselves in front of me slowly. The color of their coats and their cutie marks were forming. I can already make a guess as to what is being formed.

The dust solidified as the six came to be. Not surprising, I was looking at the Bearers of Harmony. My mind was questioning why m mind was thinking of them. My thoughts were cut off almost immediately as I heard the voice of Twilight, “Why?”

I looked at her bewildered by what she had meant when another voice spoke after her, “Why did ya leave us t’ our fates Zodiac? Ah thought ya honestly cared fer us…”

My bewildered expression changed slowly to one of fear as I slowly understood what they were talking about, “W-what are you talking about Applejack? I’ve never…”

“You big meanie…” I looked to the next voice seeing Pinkie with her hair having lost her poofiness and now it was all a straight mane. Her pink coat and mane color even dulled a bit, “You left us alone to face the challenges…when you could’ve helped us…”

“Pinkie…I…I don’t know what you girls are…” My sentence got cut off by another voice. Bombastic as ever, I can recognize it almost a mile away.

“Yes you do know! You left us to face the war! You left us to handle the challenges when we needed the help badly! You could’ve done something to prevent all of this!” I felt the weight of all of this on my body. Even though I was not a part of this universe, I felt like I was guilty in preventing all of this.

I looked at Fluttershy who looked away in shame of seeing me. Her tears were falling from her face. It was hurting me more to see her like this, “Fluttershy, not you too…”

“You will not talk to her Zodiac…” I looked to see Rarity in front of Fluttershy as she blocked me from seeing her, “As much as I want to see our friendship not go down this road, I’m afraid that you are too late to fix all of this.”

I was backing away from them. I did not want to hear their accusations. I hit a wall as I turned around. Behind me were Celestia and Luna who looked angry beyond their truest imagining. While Luna’s was more profound, Celestia’s was more serene yet still bore anger at me. I was hearing the Royal Canterlot Voice from Luna as she was seething with anger, “You betrayed us to the ravages of war! You could have supported us in the war effort but you left in shame seeing us go down this road!”

I saw Celestia put a hoof in front of her sister holding her back from attacking me, “Do not bother Luna, he is not worth the trouble.” Her eyes bore into me, a fiery rage burned behind them wanting nothing more than to burn me. I was so helpless, I couldn’t even argue back at their accusations. My body felt so weak from all of this. I heard one more message from Celestia as my mind was flooding with thoughts, “You have a lot to think of… I do not want to see your face until you have learned.”

Out of her calm self and of her character as it was for me, it still pained me to hear it. I looked onto the ground in shame from hearing all of that. They left me in the darkness as I felt my tears falling. I looked ahead in my state to see them walking when I saw it. In my state, I saw my eyes only with blackness surrounding two red pupils… those eyes formed… when I sank into that feeling of helplessness. My eyes widened in fear as I immediately stood up letting out an outstretched hoof as I tried to call out to them to stop, “Everyone! No!”

I was too late as I saw the glint of the material from my blade cleanly slice through their necks. I stood there in shock as my words echoed through the void. Their heads slowly slide off their bodies, their heads turned to me looking at me with unabated anger. Their bodies fell down on their heads as they bleed profusely. Their blood covered the whole floor as my hooves were soaked in them.

I took about five steps back looking at their bodies. My body was trembling with fear of seeing them die like that even if it was a quick and painless death. I sat down on the freshly-coated blood floor lifting two blood-smeared hooves in front of me. I stared at them for a long time before I let out a piercing scream.

I covered my face as tears welled up in my eyes before releasing them as a stream. In my condition of what felt like an endless weeping, I heard an indistinguishable laugh. I looked up to see myself in front of my bearing the same soulless black eyes with red pupils. Before I even got the chance to react, I was immediately coughing out blood. I looked down to see my own self stab through my body with my own sword. I looked at my doppelganger who showed no sign of any emotion as he whispered to me, “You can never escape the feeling of betrayal…ever…” He pulled out the sword from my chest painfully as he was looking at me with a fixed gaze. I was clutching the wound as I stumbling back before my legs felt weak and I collapsed onto the floor. I felt my conscious slipping away as I looked at my dark self. My own self was left with no emotions as he left one last message for me, “You can never escape the sins of your past…”

I jerked up from my slumber looking into the same black void of a room that I forcefully fell asleep in. I was looking around hastily, panting like a madpony. I heard the sounds of groaning as I turned my attention to the mare. The same mare that casted whatever spell was befell upon me. In my unbridled and out of nowhere rage, I launched myself at the mare holding her down. She was desperately struggling to get out of my grip as she pleaded with me, “Please… let…me…go.”

My judgment and thoughts were all clouded as anger overcame me, “Why? Why would I when you burrowed your way into my mind and then showed me betrayal beyond my imagination!? Why should I let you go!?” My voice was seething with venomous fury. She deserved to face the consequences in the most painful possible! I rose my left hoof high wanting to deliver exactly what I intended for her.

Her eyes widened in fear of what I was about to do. I saw her eyes welling up in tears as I bought down my hoof. In my angered state, I managed to hear her words before I made a direct hit to her face, “Please… have mercy.”

I stopped my hoof at the exact moment it was about to hit her face. Her eyes closed when she begged and as she opened them, she saw my hoof just inches away from her face. She let out a small gasp from the sight. My grip was weakening but it still held her still. My thoughts were going through a surge of thoughts both positive and negative. It was in this state that I hear a voice inside my head, You pathetic, blinded fool…

My head jerked up from hearing this voice. Oh no, not this again! I don’t want this to happen now! But it was too late as the voice resounded in my thoughts, Don’t want this to happen hmm? You are very much too late, for your actions have called me forth, now… This voice managed to manifest itself in spirit form and appeared next to me. While my body remained the same, the only known difference was the eyes I saw in my dream…no, nightmare, that’s a better word. My eyes were still focused on the mare but spiritually, I locked eyes with my darkness, Finish what you were about to start, Zodiac…

I looked at the victim of my rage seeing her looking at me scared. This was not much comparing to many other horrible things I’ve done, but this was enough. I looked to my dark spirit, my eyes showing no sign of anger anymore, No, I will not end her life here. You on the other hoof, don’t deserve to be here.

I heard his laugh resonating in my mind as I turned my attention away from him. He clearly was having fun toying with me despite his face showing no emotion, It would not matter what you do Zodiac, I’ll always be here waiting for you to make that single mistake. You know as well as I do is that I am a part you concealed away. Remember what I said in your current nightmare?

My body stood still and almost shuddered upon him recalling that. He saw my reaction and took upon it with no empathy for me, Ah, so you do remember about it. To feel your blood on my hooves as I ended your life even if it was only a dream. The fear etched on your face when you faced the betrayal of the worst kind. To see your life snuffed out there when you were at most vulnerable. It was so satisfying, don’t you think?

I truly wanted to buck my own doppelganger right now, but I knew how stupid that would make since I can’t even touch him physically or mentally. All I can just do is listen to his rabble and just continue on with my journey. However, something made me curious. If he was involved in it, then what about my last nightmare back in Baltimare? I looked at my dark self with some regret having to ask him of all things, If you were involved in my current nightmare…

Which I was Zodiac, if you were trying to deny that fact… I again, so wanted to buck him so badly now. Him showing not a single bit of happiness, just a blank expression also tempted me but I did not give in.

I let out one small deep breath from his interruption, Continuing on, what about my last nightmare? The one that occurred during my stay in Baltimare?

My blank, emotionless husk of a doppelganger was actually bewildered about what I meant. That kind of reaction seemed to somewhat made me worried now. He saw my expression and returned back to his emotionless state, You are referring to the nightmare involving the mysterious black monstrosity that consumed Equestria correct? I only answered him in silence mostly from me pondering about it, I will take that silence as a yes. Now, about the nightmare, no I was not a part of it. It was you that concurred it up.

Now I was the one bewildered about what he meant, I concurred it up? What do you…? At that moment, my body again froze but not of fear. It was a sudden realization that the nightmare may or may not be what I think it could be, You mean to tell me that this nightmare could very well be a premonition?

I saw looking away at first. This was the first I’ve ever seen my own darkness look away from me with a topic in mind. He turned his attention back to me, his…my… oh my goodness, our eyes filled with a fire burning in them. That being a good thing or a bad thing, I don’t know, Perhaps, but whether it would be happening in the current universe or back home, the two of us do not know of that answer yet.

This was seemingly questionable right now. Since when has my own darkness ever decided to help me in the long run? Last I recalled was almost never so why now? I couldn’t help but ask it about that, Why are you helping me out here? Aren’t you supposed to oppose me?

Again his expression did not change to even show a hint of emotion. He closed its eyes, whether from the question or not, I can’t say. Wait, didn’t I say this before? You would think that wouldn’t you? In my own thoughts, I heard his question and that raised elicited me to raise an eyebrow in confusion wondering what he was meaning. He opened his eyes, the same fire burning strongly within them, I do not oppose you Zodiac. I am a conduit of every sin you have committed yes, but you have forgotten that darkness cannot live without light.

Was he using my own words against me here? I was not going to let him use my own words against me here! But every time I commit many immoral cases, I get consumed by you and I go on a bloody massacre! I was not about to let this get the better of me even if I wanted to charge at him badly.

Yes that is true. Such is the nature of darkness, but you also forgot another thing about darkness… I just stood there trying to not slip into my anger. His next answer though threw me off by a long shot, Darkness doesn’t always equate to being evil Zodiac. Take for example, Princess Luna. She is the embodiment of the night and as thus can utilize magics related to the shadows. Does that make her evil? No, it was by unfortunate luck with the Nightmares that she did become evil. ] I couldn’t believe myself; my own dark doppelganger was teaching me something I had long forgotten. It was almost unreal for me, Many allies have committed sins yes, but they also try to rectify for them. In the end, while darkness still lingers in their hearts, they also accept that they are not perfect… He stepped up and put a hoof on my heart. His eyes though still had the red pupils, loss the black surrounding, replaced with the white of normal eyes, You have tried to rectify for your sins and that is a wonderful thing, but you have not accepted the darkness within your heart… Until you have accepted it, all you will cause is endless suffering if you keep on resisting it.

My whole body was still from this single lecture. Had I forgotten what it was like to have this kind of talk from a friend? I lowered my head and put my doppelganger’s hoof down with mine as I looked away, I appreciate what you are doing, but… I walked back to my physical body looking at the anger etched on my face. I did not want to accept this path ever, I can’t… I don’t want to accept this. Not now, not ever

My doppelganger could not believe what I was saying as he was shaking his head and sighing. He was not surprised that I was not going to accept change in the long run, Zodiac, look at yourself right now. Even after my speech, you are rejecting the darkness that’s already been made in your heart. I was silent from his response. I did not care for this conversation at all and I did not want to continue it. He saw the message as he closed his eyes, You will regret this decision when the time comes. I will see you when the death of someone you cared for comes forth during your journey…

The being dissipated into dust and I was left alone in my thoughts. How can I accept the darkness when all I’ve ever seen or done was nothing but endless bloodshed everywhere? I just can’t… I let my thoughts about it go away from now as my spirit returned back to my physical body. My body felt stiff from being in this position for so long. I looked at the mare who now bore a look of bewilderment as I backed away from her. I let out a sigh, “I’m sorry for the way I acted but please tell me next when you are about to do that so that we don’t have to repeat this again.”

The mare wiped off some of the dust that gathered over her body. She looked at me with a sad look seeing my head lowered to the ground, “I’m also sorry for not telling you about this but I had to otherwise. It was more of a test that Razor came up with.” I raised my head from this revelation. I looked at her wondering about what kind of test would do something like I went through. She saw my look of confusion and answered for me, “It was a test to see how one would fare against betrayal.”

My head gears were grinding for a bit as I was processing this information. After some time processing the information and putting the pieces together, now I understood why such a test. Of course, she caught on and answered it for me, “Quick learner eh? Yes, this test was mostly to see how one would react to betrayal, if the reaction was genuine like yours then they officially are a part of the Blades. Of course we try to help them cope with it as well.”

I let a smile form. It has been a while since I lasted smiled, “You are all not bad but let me ask something, why aren’t you scared of me now?” I saw her chuckle as she explained for me. Apparently, I was in that position for a goof five minutes during my chat with my own darkness. I did let a weak chuckle escape from me from all of that but otherwise I understood.

She moved forward and led me back out. Before she opened the door though, I couldn’t but ask for her name, “Hey, what is your name per chance?”

She looked at me for a second before letting a smile form on her face, “My name is Mind Reader. I hope that somewhat explains my trick there.” Of course it does, why wouldn’t it?

As she opened the door, I got charged upon by Harmony as she tackled me down and embraced me in a rather tight hug, “Zodiac! Thank the gods; I thought they did something horrible in there!” I was struggling to get out of her hug as I losing a little bit of my breathing. She noticed and let go of me while scratching her head in a bit of embarrassment.

I got from that and wiped myself of any dust. I saw Epsilon walking forward with a smile as he delivered a light jab to my side, “Hey there, how goes the… whatever happened in there?”

I couldn’t tell them what happened during my time in there. For one it would ruin the test in mind and two, my own secret should be kept from them at least until they were ready. I just let a smile form as I gestured one of them to enter, “It’s better for one of you to take it then for me to explain it.” They looked at each other for a moment before shrugging. It was Harmony who came in. The door closed as both Harmony and Mind Reader entered leaving us two outside the door. I was a bit restless and I wanted to take a walk. Deciding to do just that, I told Epsilon about and he just nodded.

I walked through the hallway out of the base and outside. I looked above the sky seeing the clouds blocking them still. I truly these clouds would just go away so I can see the starry sky once more, but that’s just wishful thinking. And so I begun to walk, taking a little bit of looking into the town. Going through the marketplace again, I was expecting the same treatment we had the first time we went here. Instead of that though, many were seemingly concerned about me.

As pleasing as it was to have the people’s concern here, I did not really need it at all. I was fine, or at least I think I’m fine. Regardless, I went to find a secluded area of this town hoping that I have some time to think to myself. I asked the town folk if there was one such area. Many did answer, but with concern in their voices again. Why is everyone concerned about me? All I needed is just some time alone with my thoughts.

I went ahead to one suggestion that many could agree on. An area north of this town called the Horizon was known before the war for the beautiful sunrise setting there. Makes sense since it is called the Horizon for a reason. The walk was rather uneventful save for my thoughts lingering on the subject of my inner darkness. Its words still lingered as it repeated in my head constantly.

Arriving at the location just in time as the Sun was setting. It was a beautiful sight to behold. Even with all these clouds, you can’t hide the beauty of the sunset. I laid down there for awhile admiring the view. The orange light illuminating the Wasteland made it seem beautiful in comparison to the reality itself. It made this scene all the more heart-wrenching to me.

I heard hoofsteps from behind me as I continued to gaze upon the setting Sun. I did not heed the hoofsteps getting closer to me for some time before a voice broke me out of my stupor, “A beautiful sunset isn’t it?”

I never heard of this voice before but I couldn’t but smile for a bit and answer the question, “Yes, it is quite a sight huh?” I turned to see Harmony sitting next to me. How come I never knew that was her voice? Darn my short memory. Still, she was done rather quickly comparing to mine even if I didn’t have to count the chat. I couldn’t help but be curious, “You were a bit faster than I expected, did it go well for you Harmony?” Harmony looked away from me and the setting Sun. Guessing that it must be affecting her a lot. I nudged myself closer and covered her with my three left wings. She took it in comfort as she lowered her head to me, “That bad huh?”

I saw Harmony about to shed a few tears. She wrapped her forelegs around me tightly as she let the tears go, “It was so horrible Zodiac, I never thought to have felt so helpless in stopping my own brother from leaving me.” So she went through something else differently instead of mine. I put my left hoof on her head and comforted her.

I heard some hoofsteps behind us. I turned my head to see some of the townspeople in awe of the two of us. While I do appreciate them being there oddly, I also do hope that they’re not thinking that we’re a couple or something. I cleared my throat and that was enough of a signal for them to leave us be. They responded nicely ad returned back. I had to admit, them being concerned did leave a happy note.

Hoofsteps were being heard from behind me heading to our direction and this time it was a lone pony. I turned to see Epsilon coming here as well. He bore a look mixed with two main emotions, anger and sadness. He came up and sat next to Harmony as he comforted her with me. Feeling the hoof of her brother, Harmony turned to see Epsilon comforting him. She let go of me and went to hug him now. She was stuttering her words but were still understandable, “Epsilon… please don’t…leave me alone…”

In response to that, the brother hugged the sister and admittedly, I couldn’t but be in awe of the scene in front of me. The setting Sun just amplified the wonderful scene by a long shot, “I won’t Harmony… until we make to the end of this journey, I’ll always be with you.”

I stood up from where I was and scooted myself in between the two siblings as they released their embrace themselves. I wrapped the both of them in my wings while bearing a smile, “Do not forget me you two. I’ll always be with you two as well. This tiny set will continue to grow don’t forget so we may end up having a few more friends to join in the parade.” They chuckled from my response. We looked at the Sun as it illuminated the Wasteland. After a whole slew of events that came to us, I think the three of us friends deserve a good time to relax for once and enjoy the view.

Footnote: 100/200 experience left until the next level…[size]

[size=0.75em]Zodiac:

New Trait Unlocked: Dark Rising - This trait is exclusive to Zodiac: Darkness flows inside you waiting to be unleashed upon all those who stand in your way! When you are within the evil karma, you gain +2 to Strength and Durability for every 10 points in the evil karma, but also hamper Intelligence by -1 for every 20 points in the evil karma

Karma Meter: 75/100 Good

Harmony:

Karma Meter: 70/100 Good

Epsilon:

Karma Meter: 65/100 Good